Santa Cruz County Local News: Environment

After five years of activism from Pajaro Valley residents and others across the state, California residents can now get text and email alerts about pesticide use near their homes, schools and workplaces as part of a SprayDays website that launched this week.

Justin Cummings, Third District Santa Cruz County Supervisor, talks about efforts to retain his seat as chair of the powerful California Coastal Commission. He also explains other ordinances under discussion at the county level.

At least three federal workers with ties to the UC Santa Cruz Coastal Science Campus were dismissed from their jobs in February, including a NOAA employee working on greater efficiency with nonprofit partners.

Dan Haifley, a long-time ocean conservationist and former director of O'Neill's Sea Odyssey and Save Our Shores, gives us an update on the multiple threats to ocean ecosystems and marine sanctuaries posed by the cuts to federal staff and budgets by the executive branch.

About 80 people gathered Monday in the historic Aromas Community Grange after the California Department of Water Resources selected the Pajaro River Watershed as one of five watersheds to pilot the Watershed Resilience Program.